Updating Urban Forestry Systems
The City of Los Angeles is embarking on a project in collaboration with FUSE to evaluate and update the Urban Forestry Division (UFD) fee schedule within the Department of Public Works’ Bureau of Street Services. With the management of over 700,000 trees along 6,500 miles of public roads, the UFD... Read more
Business Intelligence for Sustainable Community Revitalization
In response to the pervasive issues of blighted properties affecting neighborhoods and economies, the City of Cleveland is embarking on a transformative initiative. With 30% of the city’s land in public hands, the aim is to convert vacant brownfields into accessible jobs, capitalizing on Cleveland’s industrial heritage. FUSE Executive Fellow... Read more
Economic Assessment of Extreme Heat Toolkit
In response to the escalating urban heat crisis in Los Angeles exacerbated by climate change, the City, in collaboration with FUSE, is implementing the Extreme Heat Toolkit. The project addresses the disproportionate impact of heat waves on marginalized neighborhoods. The initiative, led by StreetsLA, involves a comprehensive cost-benefit analysis of... Read more
Equitable Redevelopment of Public Green Spaces
The City of Los Angeles embarked on the LA River Revitalization Master Plan in 2007, transforming the Los Angeles River into a vibrant and accessible space. The 100 Acre Partnership, a collaboration between the City, California Department of Parks and Recreation, and the Mountains Recreation and Conservation Authority, focuses on... Read more
Curbing Commercial Energy Use Through Equitable Legislation Design
New Orleans is committed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and improving building energy efficiency. It has successfully reduced energy use in its City buildings and launched the Downtown Energy Challenge. Despite restrictions on regulating natural gas use in private buildings, the City aims to lead by example and encourage others... Read more
Renewable Energy Expansion through Federal and Private Partnerships
The community of Cincinnati aims to accelerate its transition to renewable energy and electrification to achieve the newly established goals of carbon neutrality. With the provisions of the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) and the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), Cincinnati has the opportunity to address energy inequities and leverage... Read more
Reducing Greenhouse Emissions Through Community Engagement
The Washoe County, NV, community is addressing the negative impacts of climate change and the inequitable effects on vulnerable populations through its "Green Recovery Plan." This plan aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve air pollution while addressing the public health and economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, especially... Read more
Workforce Development for Climate Action
The Salt Lake City, UT, community is working to implement a Comprehensive Climate Action Plan (CCAP) to address the negative impacts of rapidly changing climate conditions. One of their goals is to assess workforce-related challenges and opportunities in key climate-related sectors and identify potential solutions and partners. To accomplish this,... Read more
Increasing Revenue for Sustainable Water Systems
Water and drainage management in New Orleans faces significant challenges due to outdated metering systems, insufficient staffing, and many delinquent accounts. The Sewerage and Water Board of New Orleans (SWBNO) relies on revenue from water bill payments to upgrade and expand the necessary infrastructure. However, revenue collection has been difficult,... Read more
Planning for Climate Resilience and Extreme Weather Events
Travis County, Texas's fifth largest county, faces many climate emergencies and weather hazards. The frequency of 100-degree days has doubled in the last 40 years, and extreme rainfall, flooding, and drought risks have escalated. These climate hazards threaten all residents, particularly low-income families, older adults, and non-English speakers. The county's... Read more